Re: Mohawk History Debate

Peter d'Errico (derrico@titan.ucc.umass.edu)
Tue, 7 Apr 1992 12:21:34 EDT


mekx@vax5.cit.cornell.edu (Gerald R. Alfred) says:

> ...." The word "Mohawk" derives from a Massachusetts word which translates
> into "fearsome cannibal." Yes, our people did practice ritual cannibalism as
> part of the blood feud and as an instrument of war.

I have wondered about this ever since reading the Jesuit Relations
accounts of cannibalism. Since I hadn't heard it anywhere else, I
dismissed it as Christian propaganda (I mean, the Christian do their
cannibalism symbolically; "this is my body, this is my blood...").

I would like to know where to find other info on this subject. There
are several varieties of cannibalism -- in some, the eating of an
enemy would not occur, in others, only the enemy is eaten. I know
know only a little about all this, and am looking for some clues for
further learning..

Thanks.

--
Peter d'Errico                                              phone: 413-545-2003
Legal Studies Department                                    fax:   413-545-1640
University of Massachusetts/Amherst 01003           dErrico@titan.ucc.umass.edu